Ince began his managerial career less than two years ago at Macclesfield. Photograph: Daniel Hambury/PA

Paul Ince is expected to leap from MK Dons into the Premier League with Blackburn today, providing Rovers believe his appointment as manager without a Uefa Pro Licence would be passed by the league's hierarchy.

The former England captain has emerged at the head of a shortlist that includes Steve McClaren, Sam Allardyce and Michael Laudrup, all of whom were interviewed by the Rovers chairman, John Williams, in the past week. Barring a late change of heart by the Blackburn board, who are keen to meet today's self-imposed deadline for naming the successor to Mark Hughes, Ince should be declared Rovers' new manager just 20 months after starting his second career at Macclesfield.

Confirmation of the appointment, however, rests with the Premier League board once they consider Blackburn's argument for Ince's promotion.

Personal terms for the 40-year-old and a compensation package for Ince's employers are believed to be in place, but his lack of qualifications remains a potential problem. The MK Dons manager does not possess the Uefa Pro Licence required to take charge of first-team affairs in the Premier League but Blackburn are hopeful he will receive special dispensation for the role. The lengths Rovers have gone to in preparing their case indicates Ince's place as favourite for the post; McClaren is now believed to consider himself out of the running and may accept an FC Twente offer if the post is still vacant at the Dutch club.

Blackburn sounded out Premier League officials about appointing a manager without a Pro Licence early in Williams' interview process, which began last week. Rovers were informed they would have to explain to the Premier League board, consisting of chief executive Richard Scudamore and chairman Sir David Richards, why Ince was a suitable candidate and how he intended to address the qualification issue. Since then the former Manchester United and Liverpool midfielder has attended a coaching course run by the FA of Wales at Aberystwyth University and has taken advice from the League Managers' Association on other courses that could further his education this summer.

Rovers hope that that willingness on Ince's part, plus the precedents set when Glenn Roeder and Gareth Southgate were appointed managers of Newcastle and Middlesbrough without the Uefa Pro Licence, will sway the Premier League's decision in their favour.

Blackburn can also count on the support of the LMA, whose chief executive Richard Bevan said: "I've met with Paul a couple of times and we are doing everything possible to help him get the qualifications he needs. He's one of our members and has been a manager for the last two seasons, so we'll be very supportive in whatever way we can. The Premier League rules about having the correct licences are very clear, but there have been exceptions to it."